Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) strongly condemns the notice issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to Muhammad Akbar Notezai, a correspondent for Dawn News. It is completely unacceptable that the journalist was issued a notice for an investigative report published more than a year ago, at a time when there was no clarity on the functioning of the NCCIA. The NCCIA must provide clarity on its actions taken against journalists and ensure that it doesn’t become a tool to intimidate and silence media professionals.
The targeting of Notezai threatens not only his safety and professional independence, but if the voices of journalists are silenced, it also undermines the democratic right of citizens to be informed. These tactics create a chilling environment for reporters who seek to investigate and expose corruption and administrative shortcomings.
According to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the action against the journalist “was initiated under the guise of defamation” for a report published on August 26, 2024.
CPNE condemned the issuance of the government notice to Notezai. In a joint statement, the CPNE President and Secretary General expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Balochistan and described the notice as a blatant violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) also strongly condemned the notice, calling it a blatant attempt to suppress press freedom and demanding its immediate withdrawal. Similarly, the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) criticized the use of cybercrime laws to intimidate journalists and vowed to defend press freedom through legal channels.
Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili praised Notezai’s investigative work for its professionalism and integrity, warning that targeting such journalists undermines vital democratic processes. Veteran journalist Mazhar Abbas pointed out the NCCIA’s lack of jurisdiction over published news content, emphasizing that disputes over published material should be resolved through defamation laws, not cybercrime notices.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) highlighted that such actions foster a climate of fear and called on authorities to respect constitutional protections for freedom of expression.
Dawn Bureau Chief in Quetta Saleem Shahid strongly condemned the action, terming it a blatant violation of press freedom and the constitutional right to free expression. He highlighted the misuse of power in issuing such notices without judicial oversight or transparent investigation and praised Notezai’s character and journalistic integrity. Shahid reaffirmed Dawn’s commitment to defending press freedom and taking necessary legal measures against such intimidation tactics.
